DVLA challenged over rising charges for expired driving licences
A Ghanaian policy think tank is calling on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to suspend escalating charges for expired licences until it explains their legal basis and how the fees are calculated.
Ghana's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has been challenged to explain the legal basis for escalating charges imposed on motorists who renew their driving licences after they expire.
Policy think tank CUTS International says it has found no clear legal provision in Ghana's Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180) authorising the charges, which it describes as unfair and opaque.
It is calling on the DVLA to suspend the payments until it publicly discloses the law, approval process and formula used to determine them.
Under the DVLA's 2026 fee schedule, renewing a licence before expiry costs GH¢127 ($11). The amount rises to GH¢204.25 if the licence has been expired for up to six months.
It increases progressively to GH¢279.25 for seven to 12 months, GH¢315.25 for up to two years, GH¢352.25 for up to four years and GH¢404.25 for more than four years.
Similar charges apply when replacing an expired licence.
CUTS International's West Africa Regional Director, Appiah Kusi Adomako, said the DVLA should identify whether the payments were legally approved renewal fees, administrative penalties or another form of charge.
"If the Authority cannot point to a clear legal basis for each charge, it must stop collecting the money and refund affected licence holders," he said.
Expiry does not prove illegal driving
CUTS argues that the expiry of a driving licence does not, by itself, prove that its holder continued to drive.
A licence holder could be living abroad, studying, ill or otherwise not driving during the period their licence was expired.
Under L.I. 2180, failure to renew a licence as prescribed is an offence, but the law provides for enforcement through the police and the courts, including fines or imprisonment following conviction.
CUTS says this is different from automatically imposing an escalating charge at a DVLA counter simply because a licence has expired.
It argues that a person who returns to Ghana after several years abroad should not face the highest charge merely because their licence expired while they were away and not driving on Ghanaian roads.
The group says the DVLA should also reconsider the term "delinquency", arguing that it unfairly implies wrongdoing in every case of late renewal.
Calls for parliamentary inquiry
CUTS has called for Parliament to investigate the legality, approval and administration of the charges.
It also wants the DVLA and Ghana Police Service to clarify their respective roles in enforcing laws against driving with an expired licence.
The organisation has raised concerns about a separate GH¢181 charge for amending information such as a licence holder's address or telephone number.
It says high charges for basic updates could discourage people from keeping their records current, potentially affecting road safety and emergency communication.
CUTS says the DVLA needs revenue to provide licensing services but must ensure that all charges imposed on the public are authorised by law, clearly disclosed and proportionate.